MLB: Rasmus hits 2 HRs, Fister wins as Astros beat Brewers 6-4

Published 4:55 pm, Saturday, April 9, 2016

MILWAUKEE — Colby Rasmus had two home runs and a sacrifice fly to lead the Houston Astros to a 6-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.

Doug Fister (1-0) won his Astros' debut, allowing three runs and five hits with six strikeouts in five innings.

Rasmus, who hit a career-high 25 home runs last season, teed off on Milwaukee starter Wily Peralta (0-2) with a solo shot in the third and a two-run blast in the fifth that landed near the top row of the second-tier bleachers in right.

Rasmus may have found some motivation after being called for interference under the new "Chase Utley rule," resulting in a game-ending double play Friday night that halted Houston's ninth-inning rally and gave the Brewers a 6-4 win.

Tyler White kept up his torrid start for Houston with a sacrifice fly in the first and followed Rasmus in the fifth with his third home run. White is 10 for 15 (.667) so far in his rookie season.

It was the second time this season that the Astros had hit consecutive home runs. It helped snap a three-game losing streak.

Luke Gregerson pitched the ninth for his second save.

Fister signed a one-year contract with Houston as a free agent in the offseason after spending the last two years with Washington. The 6-foot-8 right-hander made 15 starts in 2015 before right forearm soreness landed him on the disabled list May 15. He transitioned to being a reliever in early August and finished 5-7 with 4.19 ERA in 25 appearances.

Peralta, who lost 12-3 to San Francisco in the season opener, allowed six runs and seven hits to the Astros with four walks and four strikeouts. He's allowed 10 earned runs and 13 hits in 8 1/3 innings in his first two starts.

Scooter Gennett, who hit six home runs last year in a platoon role, hit his third this season, a two-run shot in the fifth. The Brewers are giving the left-handed batting infielder a chance to become the regular second baseman. So far, he's made the most of it with a club-best .438 batting average.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit his first home run as a Brewer, connecting off Pat Neshek for a solo shot in the sixth.

Brewers scratched out a run in the third on a fielder's choice.

CASTRO BEATS THE SHIFT

Jason Castro snapped a 0-for-11 streak in the first when he dropped a bunt down the third-base line, beating the shift. Third baseman Aaron Hill, moved to the hole at short, never had a chance.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Astros: RHP Chris Devenski pitched three scoreless innings in his major-league debut Friday night. He allowed one hit and struck out four. "Devo's established himself in his first outing as an option for us out of the pen," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We're going to give him a day off," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He's not going to used today, but he was so efficient, her probably only needs a day off."

Brewers: After appearing in three games as a pinch-hitter, Kirk Nieuwenhuis made his Brewers' debut in center. ... No rest for 2B Scooter Gennett who has been given a chance to be an every-day player. "I think he's improved defensively as a big leaguer," manager Craig Counsell said. "As long as we keep that going and keep getting improvement, I think he's in a good spot."

UP NEXT

Astros: LHP Dallas Kuechel (1-0, 2.57 ERA) looks to build off his opening-day 5-3 win over the New York Yankees on Monday. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is 0-2 with an 11.68 ERA in three starts against the Brewers.

Brewers: RHP Jimmy Nelson (0-1, 2.45 ERA) starts against Houston, a team he's never faced. He allowed two runs on five hits over 7 1/3 innings in a 2-1 loss Tuesday to San Francisco.